Aspiring scout Chris Cordero reports Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate will be interviewing with the Dolphins Friday night. He also has other nuggets.

From Cordero:

Tate mentioned that he will be speaking with the Dolphins tonight. Looks small but with a solid build -- reminds of Steve Smith and if he runs well will go in 1st round. Tate expects to run sub-4.5. If he were to fall to 2nd round would be a steal there.

He doesn't fit the mold of the big physical receiver the Dolphins supposedly want but is a playmaker as evidenced by outstanding stats in a pro-style offense.

Could he be our second pick? I surely think he is a reach at number 12.

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Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:14 pm

Phins Rock

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

I don't like him. Too inconsistent with his hands, and doesn't provide a big body to go over the middle with.

Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:03 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

Phins Rock wrote:

provide a big body to go over the middle with.

How big is big? Because he's bigger than Steve Smith, and going over the middle doesn't seem to be a problem for him.

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Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:23 pm

Phins Rock

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

Smith is who a lot of people compare him to, but he is not Steve Smith.

Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:37 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

Phins Rock wrote:

Smith is who a lot of people compare him to, but he is not Steve Smith.

Lol ok.

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Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:50 pm

hypocritex

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

Iowafin wrote:

Phins Rock wrote:

provide a big body to go over the middle with.

How big is big? Because he's bigger than Steve Smith, and going over the middle doesn't seem to be a problem for him.

Steve Smith is a relentless little man. Lol. Not exactly sure it's fair to compare many guys to him. But, nevertheless. I would find it odd if we drafted Tate considering his size.

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Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:02 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

hypocritex wrote:

Iowafin wrote:

Phins Rock wrote:

provide a big body to go over the middle with.

How big is big? Because he's bigger than Steve Smith, and going over the middle doesn't seem to be a problem for him.

Steve Smith is a relentless little man. Lol. Not exactly sure it's fair to compare many guys to him. But, nevertheless. I would find it odd if we drafted Tate considering his size.

You are saying he's not good enough because he's apparently too small, so I bring an example of how an even smaller guy can be very successful. So you can't say his size is a concern...you could say he doesn't go over the middle because he's shown he's scared or something, but that simply isn't true...

I'm honestly very sick of this size thing when precedents have been set to show that a player cannot be too small.

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Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:05 pm

hypocritex

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

Iowafin wrote:

You are saying he's not good enough because he's apparently too small, so I bring an example of how an even smaller guy can be very successful. So you can't say his size is a concern...you could say he doesn't go over the middle because he's shown he's scared or something, but that simply isn't true...

I'm honestly very sick of this size thing when precedents have been set to show that a player cannot be too small.

I am saying that Parcells and company have openly said they like bigger WR's. Thus far they have drafted 2 big ones for us. I am saying that guys like Steve Smith are rare. I'm not saying that Golden Tate isn't one of those rare guys. I am saying.. he doesn't fit the typical size we look for.

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Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:09 pm

The Hen

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

WR might not be the whole plan for a guy like Tate.

Quote:

Golden Tate said he sees himself as similar to Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers.

Percy Harvin of Minnesota might be more indicative of the way Tate could be used. Harvin was more than just a rookie receiver last season. He also ran the ball and was a dangerous returner.

"Hopefully a team will see that in me," Tate said.

Tate showed his open-field ability in Notre Dame's overtime victory over Washington last season when he caught nine passes for 244 yards and scored a touchdown.

Tate's far from the perfect receiver prospect. He's 5 feet 10, which is on the short side. He also showed a tendency to catch the ball too close to his body, letting the ball come to him instead of aggressively grabbing it. His ability in the open field will make him an intriguing prospect, though.

I have to laugh every time I hear some smallish receiver being compared to Steve Smith of the Panthers. That guy is an absolute freak of nature. He is a very rare talent....similar to a Barry Sanders.....you might never see another player of his size with his ability for the the rest of your life.

Golden Tate seems to be a fabulous talent....but he is relatively raw and will be a project and doesn't seem to have the size/strength combo we should be looking for in a #1 receiver. I imagine he will end up being a productive NFL WR....but I just don't think he is a good fit for our team.

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Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:55 pm

The Hen

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

I don't see him as a Phins pick either, but I do think he will fit in nicely somewhere.

I am saying that Parcells and company have openly said they like bigger WR's.

I totally agree there. Parcells all ready has the little guy with the speed. I think Pat White's concussion last year reminded him of why he likes all of his players big. Heck, he drafted two receivers last year who were 6'4" and 6'2". I think that pretty much shows you what he's looking for in a receiver.

I am saying that Parcells and company have openly said they like bigger WR's.

I totally agree there. Parcells all ready has the little guy with the speed. I think Pat White's concussion last year reminded him of why he likes all of his players big. Heck, he drafted two receivers last year who were 6'4" and 6'2". I think that pretty much shows you what he's looking for in a receiver.

Exactly.

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Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:57 am

FrustratedFinFan

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

Iowa....you are wrong about Sproles. He could never take the high number of carries that Sanders took and survive season after season. He has taken the load for stretches, but not for a whole season. Last year he got the most rushes ever in his career....93....for a whopping 3.7 yards per carry. Sanders averaged about 300 carries a year for a career average of 5.0 yds per carry. Sproles is great in the open field, but comparing him to Sanders there also seems a stretch....a huge stretch. If anyone is close to Sanders in the NFL today, it would be pocket Hercules....Jones-Drew. Sproles is great, but he is not Barry Sanders....not even close...and Barry did it for years behind a somewhat suspect O-line. Sproles would already have been on IR a couple of times if they tried to use him the way Detroit used Sanders.

_________________Philbin's countenance exudes confidence!1984 was so long ago...Will there ever be another rainbow?

Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:26 pm

Iowafin

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

FrustratedFinFan wrote:

Iowa....you are wrong about Sproles. He could never take the high number of carries that Sanders took and survive season after season.

Speculation on your part.

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Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:29 pm

FrustratedFinFan

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Re: Dolphins to Interview Golden Tate

Speculation on both our parts....but I feel pretty good that I backed up my point. I think Sproles is a great change of pace back, a good returner, dangerous in the open field....but not even close to Sanders in talent. Sanders was an absolute freak. I still have not seen anyone who could consistently make the moves that man could.....I've seen Jones-Drew do it at times....but not consistently.

_________________Philbin's countenance exudes confidence!1984 was so long ago...Will there ever be another rainbow?